“You don’t want to meet him.” I laugh.
“Why not?” He inches my hair back over my shoulder. “Duke and I got along. Ivan loves me.”
“He’s nothing like either of them.” I roll my eyes. “He’s heartless. He fired Daphne this morning.”
Max and Daphne took a few spins on the dance floor at the holiday party. He had a blast listening to her talk about her kids and grandkids.
Skepticism clouds his expression. “You’re joking.”
“I’m dead serious.” I shrug. “He fired her on the spot. She’s officially a former employee of Garent Industries.”
“Maybe I don’t want to meet this guy.” He offers his arm to me. “I’ll take you home now.”
Passing my grandma on our way out, I tap her on the shoulder so I can hug her. “I’ll see you soon.”
She holds me tight and whispers the words she always does when we say goodbye. “Look both ways before you cross the street, my sweet Dolly.”
***
“I’ll come in for a glass of water, and then I’m heading out.” Max exits the elevator first, leading the way down the corridor toward my apartment. “I’m stuck doing inventory this week, so I’m going back to the store.”
I walk quickly to keep up with him. “Why didn’t you tell me? I’ll change and go with you.”
He spins on his heel to face me. “You don’t have to do that. I can handle it on my own.”
“I’m going with you.” I march past him. “Let me throw on a pair of yoga pants, and a T-shirt and we’ll head back uptown.”
I hear his footsteps behind me as I reach the door to my apartment. It’s slightly ajar. Voices seep out from inside.
I recognize my sister’s husky tone, but there’s something about that other voice. Why does it sound so familiar to me?
Pushing open the door, I face the man having a random conversation with Gina about the weather.
“Hot boss is here,” Max drawls from behind me.
The sound of his voice lures Barrett’s gaze to us. Gina’s follows. With a wink, she tosses me a knowing smile. “Bella, look who dropped in to see you.”
Chapter 28
Bella
“Why are you here?”
It’s not the best way to greet your boss, but the words tumble out of my mouth because I’m in shock. My apartment is my safe place. I come here after work to unwind and hide from the stress of my day.
Duke hasn’t been here. I would never have invited him because I cherish my personal space, but apparently, Barrett Adler doesn’t understand boundaries and the fact that I’m not tied to him twenty-four seven. Wait. Maybe I am considering the size of my paycheck.
Gina taps me on my shoulder. “Manners, young lady.”
It’s one of our mom’s favorite sayings. We throw it at each other every chance we get. This time I don’t find it funny.
“Your boss is here to see you,” Gina announces from beside me. “Why don’t you invite him to sit down?”
I turn to make a face at her. It’s my shut-the-hell-up-Gina look, but she’s gone in for a hug from my best friend.
I hear Max whispering to her about the black jumpsuit and boots she’s wearing.
“Isabella?” Barrett’s hand lands on my forearm. “The pens you ordered this afternoon arrived at the office.”